Education
UNIPORT SSANU Re-Elects Chairman
Chairman of the University
of Port Harcourt branch of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Mr Bikume Syder, has been re-elected to serve another four years term in the organisation.
Announcing the result of the election into various offices monitored by our correspondent, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Dr Mike Ngeh, disclosed that out of the 669 senior staff accredited for the exercise, Mr Syder polled a total of 311 votes to emerge winner over his contender, Mr Ovunda Marcus who polled 227 votes.
Incumbent Vice-Chairman, Mr Bernard Chukwu, polled 359 votes to also return to office, Mrs Otami Akubom won the position of Secretary-General with 233 votes.
Mr John Nwajiobi emerged as new treasurer of the union with 313 votes, while Franklyn Isaiah was elected financial secretary with a total of 365 votes.
Also, Mr Peter Edoziem obtained 223 vote to secure the position of Public Relations Officer. While Mrs Elizabeth Amadi emerged as Assistant Secertary with a total of 395 votes. For the position of Women Leader, Mrs Elizabeth Akani got the slot with 244 votes. Mr Peter Ezi polled 418 votes to secure the position of Ex-Officio member. However Francis Nwigonee was elected Trustee of the branch with a total of 234 votes.
SSANU’s National Vice-President (East), Dr Leku Ador, who led other national and zonal officers of the association to observe the election, inaugurated the new executive council, charging those elected to discharge their duties in line with the extant rules governing the association.
“I charge you to see your victory as an opportunity to serve, rather than seeing it as an avenue to lord it over the rank and file of SSANU members in this branch. You must listen to those you are leading and ensure that you democratize all decision-making processes to carry everybody along in the scheme of things’, the National Vice-President admonished them.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Syder reiterated his commitment to the welfare of SSANU members in the university. “I want to thank all members of SSANU of giving us their mandate to run the association for the next four years, including those who did not vote for us.
Let me on behalf of the new executive council restate our readiness to serve you by promoting our collective welfare,” the re-elected chairman said.
Presenting the account of his stewardship in the first four yeas which commenced in 2012, Mr Syder listed refurbishing of the SSANU Secretariat at Delta Park, procurement of a fifteen-seater Toyota Hiace Bus, settlement of debt owed the UniPort Branch of Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), introduction of a Savings and Loans Scheme and upward review of welfare benefits due members, as some of his achievements in office.
“It is my hope that the focus of the union in this branch would be geared towards continued robust representation of members’ interest through constructive engagement with management, the building of a befitting permanent secretariat complex, staff conversation as first option of recruitment, consolidation of the SSANU-UniPort Welfare and Savings Scheme, loan facilities for members at 10% simple interest rate repayable over two years, quarterly presentation of accounts as enshrined in the recently amended SSANU constitution and sustenance of the union’s end-of-year get-together and christmas package, among other incentives,” Mr. Syder said.
Sogbeba Dokubo
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, emphasised the need for students to go beyond academic achievements during the university’s 43rd Convocation ceremony.
The theme, “The University Culture In Practice, The IAUE Experience,” highlights the importance of embracing cherished traditions and intellectual values that define great universities.
Prof. Onuchuku encouraged the new graduates to work hard and persevere, noting that their convocation marks a new beginning in their careers and personal lives. He emphasised that they must prove themselves worthy of the certificates and prizes they have received.
According to him, out of 2,887 first-degree graduands, four made First Class, 403 secured Second Class Upper, 2,030 got Second Class Lower, and 450 graduated with Third Class. Additionally, 1,492 postgraduate students graduated, including 306 PhD holders.
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), praised the university’s commitment to academic excellence and institutional maturity. He commended the Acting Vice Chancellor for achieving full accreditation for 47 academic programmes and implementing the NUC’s Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards.
The administrator urged the new graduates to uphold the positive values instilled in them by the university and strive for continuous knowledge and improvement.
By: King Onunwor
The Niger Delta Students Union Government, Rivers State Chapter (NIDSUG), has suspended its planned protest against the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) state office in Port Harcourt. The suspension followed an intervention by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju.
The students had planned to protest on Thursday, citing alleged neglect by the NDDC, particularly in welfare and capacity-building programmes for students from the state. However, after the police intervention, the students agreed to participate in a roundtable discussion with the commission to address their concerns.
NIDSUG leader, Comrade Loveday Njoku, expressed dissatisfaction with the commission’s alleged exclusion of students from benefiting from its programmes. He presented a seven-point demand, including the reintroduction of scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Njoku emphasised that education is crucial for community development and urged the commission to invest in the future leaders of the state.
The students warned that if their demands are not met, they will resume the protest and occupy the state commission office until their demands are addressed. Despite previous attempts to reach out to the commission’s management team, the students claimed their efforts were unsuccessful.
By: Akujobi Amadi
As part of efforts to improve the welfare and overall quality of education for students in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, the Sole Administrator, Sir (Dr.) Clifford Ndu Walter DSSRS, FCAI, JP, paid an unscheduled visit to Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi.
During the visit, Sir Walter expressed deep concern over the deplorable state of the school and its surrounding environment. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the development of the education sector, stressing its critical role in nation-building.
“I have visited the primary school in Ogbogoro, and now I’m here at the Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi. I am not satisfied with what I’ve seen,” he stated, indicating that more surprise visits to schools would follow.
To address the issues, the Sole Administrator directed the Council Engineer to commence process for rehabilitation of the school.
The visit was part of a broader initiative aimed at conducting on-the-spot assessments of educational facilities to determine the level of intervention required by the local government council.
Dr. Walter also assured the teachers of his unwavering commitment to revamp the school and improve the learning environment for both staff and students.